Buddhism eBooks Collection Part 1

Buddhism is a religion indigenous to the Indian subcontinent that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as the Buddha (meaning "the awakened one" in Sanskrit and Pali). The Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end suffering through eliminating ignorance and craving, by way of understanding and seeing dependent origination and non-self, and thus attain the highest happiness, nirvana.

The complete Buddhism collection is split up in 3 parts. This is Part 1.Part 1 primarily includes English translations of the main teachings of the various branches of buddhism, including commentaries, as well as scholarly studies of the texts.

Types of Buddhism1. Early Indian Buddhism also related to as Theravada; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching," is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India. It is relatively conservative, and generally closer to early Buddhism than the other existing Buddhist traditions. It represents the earliest phase of buddhist texts, the core being identified as the four main Nikayas of the Sutta Pitaka (the Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya and Anguttara Nikaya). Early Indian Buddhism is the Buddhism presupposed by the early Buddhist schools as existing about one hundred years after the final enlightenment of the Buddha.

2. Indian Mahayana Buddhism is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice. Mahayana (The Great Vehicle) Buddhism originated in India, and is associated with the Mahasamghika sect of Buddhism. The Mahayana tradition is the larger of the two major traditions of Buddhism existing today. According to the teachings of Mahayana traditions, Mahayana also refers to the path of seeking complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, also called the Bodhisattva Vehicle.

3. Chinese Buddhism refers collectively to the various schools of Buddhism that have flourished in China since ancient times. Buddhism has played an enormous role in shaping the mindset of the Chinese people, affecting their aesthetics, politics, literature, philosophy and medicine. At the peak of the Tang Dynasty's vitality, Chinese Buddhism produced numerous spiritual masters. Scholars classified Chinese buddhism into 7-15 schools, and more commonly into 10 schools.

4. Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India. It is the state religion of Bhutan. Texts recognized as scripture and commentary are contained in the Tibetan Buddhist canon, such that Tibetan is a spiritual language of these areas.

5. Japanese Buddhism has been practiced in Japan since at least 552 CE, though some Chinese sources place the first spreading of the religion earlier during the Kofun period (250 to 538 CE). It has had a major influence on the culture and development Japan over the centuries, and remains an important part of the culture. About 90 million people in Japan claim to be Buddhist practitioners and/or believers, which accounts for about 70% of the population. Due to syncretism in Japan, many Buddhists also profess adherence to Shinto. In modern times, Japan's most popular schools of Buddhism are Amidist (Pure Land), Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon Buddhism and Zen Buddhism.